Recent booklets and press articles in Britain have given advice on management guidelines for winter wheat and on how to avoid flat crops, but often with little mention of the fundamental need for balanced nutrition. Most of the discussion centres around nitrogen (N), which one publication describes as “the most important nutrient”. As Liebig taught […]

This article has been updated – follow this link to read the latest version www.pda.org.uk/soil-sampling-different-methods-of-arable-cultivation/ Soil sampling for the routine measurement of P, K, Mg Indices and pH is familiar to most advisers and farmers. The same well-proven method has been used for many years – 25 cores taken in a ‘W’ or grid pattern […]

Q: How much potash do I need to apply to raise my soil K Index to the target Index of 2-? A: This depends on soil type. Heavy soils will require more potash than light soils. When less potash is applied than is removed the K Index on light soils will fall more quickly than […]

About 70% of the income from arable cropping in the UK (excluding fruit and vegetables) comes from cereals and oilseeds. Given the primary importance of these crops it is surprising that such risks are taken with their performance. Figure 1 shows the area of winter wheat and of oilseed rape which received a dressing of […]

Straw has always been an important by-product of cereal production, with its main use historically being as feed and bedding for livestock. This remains the primary use, but other markets have developed over recent years, particularly as a result of the low profitability of arable farming and the need to maximise returns through the sale […]